"And I am sure you will like Australia," cried he, enthusiastically. "It is the most charming climate, and the life delightful. I will send you up a lot of books on the subject."
Cecil was ashamed to confess how many she had read already. "You must go by that boat to-morrow night, I suppose?" said she, meditatively.
"Yes; no help for it. But as I shall send my papers in at once, most probably I can get leave till I am gazetted out."
"Oh! I wish that mauvais quart-d'heure with papa were over," sighed Cecil. "All to-morrow in suspense!"
"Cecil," said Du Meresq, in his most persuasive tones, "it is better to be prepared for the worst. I know you are true as steel, and far firmer than most girls. Promise that you will marry me,—with his consent, if possible; if not, without."
They had landed just before, and were walking up to the house. What presentiment checked the unqualified pledge he would have imposed on her?
"I promise," she cried, "to marry no one else while you are alive."